Hiking the Fairfield Horseshoe in Winter

[@jmcdowall15]

Wee bit blowy. Can't beat a good winter walk though 👍🏻

[@curtis6861]

Sealskins waterproof socks, I carry an extra pair in my bag too for emergencies but the one pair has always kept my feet dry when I've misplaced a foot into a bog even when my shoe is soaked through 👍

[@bengt_axle]

Great video, with much better video quality! Having gaiters over your boots can be very helpful (if not essential) for walking in snow. If you don't have any, you can cut the toes off an old pair of socks and pull them over your boots, just over the heel so they seal off the space at the top of the boot, and prevent snow from getting in. I always carry an emergency silver blanket which can be used to block wind and help others find you in an emergency situation. I like that you use paper maps, which are much easier to see in the video.

[@afrikandsansir]

Just an amazing lady. The careful planning always includes a good cafe which I appreciate!

[@RambleFamily]

Craig Bruce always! Thank you 😀

[@wadesaleeby2172]

Bluebird skies!😊 against the bright contrasting cotton white clouds😊😊😊

[@petermills9851]

My South African daughter is married to a Brit & they have a 7 month old daughter & are living near a canal. Enjoyed your horseshoe & I didn't get cold at all.

[@nataliepassant8083]

You really inspire me Athena! Can’t wait to get out again and immerse in the amazing scenery we have all around us in the UK :)

[@RambleFamily]

Thank you so much :) that makes me super happy to heat! I hope you enjoy exploring the outdoors around home.

[@tonymaries1652]

What a stunning day!!! You can't book the weather. Days like this are to treasure forever. I walked the Fairfield Horseshoe from Patterdale one very early Easter in snowy but very windy conditions. Nowhere as good visibility as you had. I was sitting around the cairn city at the top and needed to take my map out of the case so I could refold it. The 25,000 scale maps are just HUGE! It wasn't a good idea, I was wrestling with it to keep it under control when the wind won. In a second it was half way down Deepdale and probably would have got back to Patterdale before I did! I have only ever lost a map on a walk twice. The other time was at Holcombe, on a Friday afternoon walk near my home. I was walking across a field and two pigs came up to me and sniffed around. Suddenly one of them snatched my map and started to eat it. I tried tug-of-war to get it back but all I got was a few tattered fragments!!!

[@RambleFamily]

Haha that’s amazing!

[@davidsutton5908]

Falls in snowy bog... laughs it off for miles with wet foot.. Approaches killer highland coos 🐂 and gingerly creeps past.. sorry I did laugh I could sense your fear when you slowed right up 😂😂 Amazing video again thanks for sharing.

[@RambleFamily]

David Sutton hahaha!

[@harrimi]

A stunning video and music once again. You probably don’t realise the influence you have on people. Great debrief there at the end Athena. We all make mistakes and have to learn from them. I now always take two fresh pairs of socks and spare trousers. I would have not remembered sunscreen though. Remember sweat needs to be replaced so I sip water always. I get headaches if I don’t. I always have painkillers with me. Lastly I make homemade fruit cake and freeze chunks. I take two bits with me frozen and this defrosts on the drive/walk, this is more appealing to eat than sandwiches(although I have that as well). It has more sugar and better for fast release energy.

[@RambleFamily]

Great advice, thanks! Not drinking was completely a mistake and due to the weather but yes I did have a headache when I finished and had to take ibroprofen for the drive home. Another lesson learned 🙂

[@neilt7191]

Nice work Athena , Fairfield Horseshoe is a Lakes Classic . The boggy parts of the walk can be nasty (as you found out) , more so on the High Pike/Low Pike section I find . Good drills taking a spare pair of socks 👍🏼. All in all , an epic mountain day clearly . A word of caution though to potential hikers heading up that way , nav can be bit tricky on Fairfield summit if conditions are bad .

[@AndysmGray]

This was excellent viewing Athena. I've done half of the Horseshoe (Fairfield to Nabscar) in fairer weather and it was stunning. Every hike is a learning curve, even for the experienced hiker. You learned a lot from this trip and I'm sure you'll tweak your equipment when doing a similar hike in the future. I took a chance and bought waterproof hiking socks a while back. They're like marmite. You either love them or hate them. I love them. Been down a few soggy holes that went over the boot and the waterproof socks still kept my foot warm and dry. Excellent content..........Andy 👍

[@adamm5838]

Another great adventure and video! Thanks for sharing and nice reminder to always take a spare pair of socks 😀

[@garygaryp1984]

I am part of a walking group and we always wear gaiters when there is any sign of wet or boggy conditions, and I can say they have saved me many times. Great video and very interesting as we will be walking the same route in the other direction at the end of March

[@RambleFamily]

That's great to hear you are doing the same route! I do actually have ankle gaiters that I usually wear in snowy conditions. I'm not really sure why I didn't wear them but will remember next time :)

[@garygaryp1984]

@@RambleFamily btw I am a professional photographer and am really impressed with your photography and video work which all adds up to a very watchable channel

[@ChrisJB]

Nice winter conditions those Athena. When I did the Fairfield Horseshoe years ago, conditions were grim, with thick mist and persistent drizzle. I fact I didn't enjoy it much at all.....though I'm sure I would've in the conditions you got!

[@AndyOutdoors]

A great video, thank you. A good challenging walk in great conditions (well apart from the wind), so clear and the snow just makes it look even better. My emergency jelly baby supplies tend to get eaten in the first mile!

[@WalksWithOlly]

I enjoyed following your adventure in these challenging but rewarding conditions. Good to hear of your honest experiences in certain situations. I haven't packed spare socks in a very long time... I always carry spare gloves but this may be a timely reminder! Hope you're having a good weekend and looking forward to your next. :-)

[@markthompson9332]

Thanks again Athena. Another lovely vid. Getting clothing right is an impossible task and really should be adjusted as you go. Start cold, climb then layer up. Overheating can occur even at minus temps as can dehydration. As for wet socks, I've found goretex boots are a double edged sword. Dry and warm till water gets in then they're horrible. I've ditched them and gone a bit old school and pair them with waterproof socks. I've got the sealskins. Very weird at first but you get used to them then you'll never have wet feet again! Some stunning views of The Lakes there. I love that view down to Ambleside.

[@kippen64]

I would have given up after getting wet feet from the bog. You are much tougher than me.

[@traceylasslett5514]

When I backpacked the Northern Presidentsils to Mt Washington I had the same issue with layering. I chose not to sweat fearing I would chill with exposure but in fact I ended up worse not wet and chill but exposure and salt drop/dehydration faster from wind 55mph and not knowing how much I was sweating and loosing fluid..You did well and advised well just need to eat:)) Great video and information as always! Trail on!

[@get_outdoors]

Jealous, looked great. I know from experience winter hill walking alone always focuses the mind and sometimes makes decision making a little tougher, but I also enjoy the self reliance it brings. I always pack ski goggles which are great for spin drift, and a battery power bank (especially if you have an iPhone), and I’m sure you had a survival bag with you and someone knew your planned route. 👍

[@RambleFamily]

I had goggles and survival bag in my pack, and my partner knew the route I was walking. 😊

[@davidjackson8829]

I have only recently found your channel. After many years of walking in the hills and then losing my hillwalking mojo these beautiful videos are firing me up for a spring of rediscovery

[@RambleFamily]

David Davies that’s brilliant, thank you.

[@fletcherf69]

Brilliant. I think the Fairfield horseshoe is one of my favourites 👍

[@Gaddman100]

I always care extra socks, they are light and you never know!👍🏻

[@carlreid4161]

Good onya Athena for taking on this route in winter it will do your confidence no end of good, as that’s some going in those conditions. 👍

[@PhilipTaramai]

Wow, the wind may have blown you away, but this video definitely blew me away. Being on a snowy ridge like that would've scared the bejeezus out of me. Soon as you said you lost sight of the track, I got chills. Just WoW!

[@andypeake4492]

Love your openness. Great video. Q

[@yoy58913]

Watching your videos have inspired me to hike and enjoy the beautiful and gigantic Sequoia trees in California

[@RambleFamily]

redcinos ah lovely! I have been to Sequoia and it is incredible. Enjoy 😀

[@michaelatkinson8291]

Hi Athena. Loved your evaluation at the end. Your experience showed with packing the spare socks but I guess the beauty & excitement of what we do is that you learn all the time. Whether that's about equipment, navigation, wildlife or the landscape. The sunglasses would have been a good idea with the bright sun on snow. I've done the Fairfield horseshoe anti-clockwise in Summer & there's a fantastic 'airy' summit just off the Northern end of Fairfield called Cofa Pike - well worth a visit. And was that Carrot cake or maybe Walnut cake at the end ? It looked delicious. Your videos keep me going till I can get out in the hills again. Take care mate & love to Heather & Oslo xx

[@RambleFamily]

Michael Atkinson thank you Michael 🙂 the cake was a treacle tart with some cream on top... I had to take some home for Harvey as it was so rich! Thanks again for watching ☺️

[@AnthonyJohnson1]

Well done Athena. That’s a tough walk even without winter conditions and you certainly encountered a few challenges along the way. I’ve just returned from 5 days in Ambleside but had to settle for slightly lower level walks due to the heavy rain and gale force winds that seemed to be around every day!

[@JGKohlenberg]

That was a serious walk with wind, snow and puddle stomping. Great video!

[@BaldAlan]

Loved this one! Importance of spare socks for all to see too 👌🏼

[@dantoward3340]

Bloody brilliant thanks 😀 great adventures on our doorstep.

[@victorseal9047]

This took me back about 30 years when I lived in the UK and completing the Fairfield Fell Race a couple of times.

[@grumpygoat9478]

Some lovely camera work to show off that stunning scenery, well done

[@TonyMaronie]

Wow! I am impressed that you managed quite a challenging walk in fairly deep snow 👍 I would be too much of a wimp to walk it in those conditions myself 😂 My wife and i hiked the Fairfield horseshoe anti-clockwise from Ambleside for the first time just a couple of days ago whilst on holiday in the lakes. We hadn’t tackled any of the horseshoe mountain summits before, and I was a little bit nervous in case we had bad local weather conditions over Fairfield in particular. Thankfully the weather was bearable and the mist dispersed for some stunning views! If only I had the aptitude for hiking mountains as you do, then nothing would phase me! 😂

[@NickandRachel]

So beautiful!

[@outdoorsweetheart]

Beautiful white powdered scenery. Great hiking. Thank u

[@ricoranger2]

We've all stepped in a hidden boggy section and had a miserable rest of the walk. 🙈 I now wear waterproof socks every time during the winter. Even gore-tex boots are no good if the water goes over the top. By the way great video. I love that part of the world. Ambleside is lovely, Red Screes was our first Lakes hike and wife delighted when we found that it is "technically" a mountain. 😂

[@alex.mortz9]

Knew this was going to be epic from the photos you took when you were there! 🤙🏼 days like this we all dream of in the hills. Thanks for sharing Athena 🙏🏻

[@RambleFamily]

Alex Mortimer thanks Alex 🙂

[@yomo1690]

Even though I didn't do that cold walk, the coffee and cake looked sooooo appealing. Well deserved.

[@trygginoregon]

I must say you seem to be a courageous type! I will be placing spare socks in my kit now... impressive recovery. Don't think I've ever run into cows that look like those. Some very real horns. Oh my. Did a hike this winter in the cascades of the Pacific Northwest USA. Ended up a snowshoe/crampon kinda walk. I too lost the trail due to heavy snow. Made for an introspective moment;) Any rate, well done! Love your adventures!

[@smiffymiffed2734]

Gorgeous scenery and the view is lovely🥰😉👍

[@stewartmcdowall2285]

You have a big heart and we are the beneficiaries of it! Thank you!!

[@brianbrooking496]

Great vlog, maybe consider a pair of ski goggles, vital bit of kit should the wind and snow, sleet and rain end up driving into your face. Loved the big glowing Rosie cheeks at the end were braw. I love that you felt challenged at the end and It is great to see people out there enjoying and embracing the winter conditions. You just got a new subscriber keep up the good work

[@Dave64track]

What a great walk very inspirational with stunning view really enjoyable I felt really sorry for you when you went in that bog and ended up with wet feet I'm really glad you had some spare socks but even so with sodden boots your feet must have been freezing. You give me the chills just watching you with your wet feet. Stay safe and see you in the next.

[@martinyardy3213]

Spare socks and spare base layer are a must. Socks can be used as mittens in an emergency, and a dry base layer can be a life saver if you go static for a long period, say if you got injured.

[@smallgardenescape9862]

Thanks for taking us with you. Beautiful video 👍🏻

[@adrianh9375]

I've only walked the Fairfield Horseshoe in summer, it's certainly not a stroll in the park so well done Athena, an amazing video as always. If you revisit in warmer months, try swimming at Buckstones Jumb in the centre of the Horseshoe, it's a beautiful place, easy walk up from Rydal.

[@jonm4989]

This is a great walk. I’ve done it many times, but never in snow so fair play to you. I expect you parked in Rydal near the church; this is also a perfect place to park to go wild swimming in Rydal Water over the road. It’s a magical place to go swimming and very popular. Lovely video btw. Good work!

[@RambleFamily]

I would have parked there but unfortunately it was blocked off so I had to park a little further down the road by the bridge. Have parked there previously for a swim in Rydal though!

[@rafaelangelmorenoramirez6725]

Hola Athena ! Gracias por tus publicaciones ,hay unas grabaciones muy chulas ! Saludos !!

[@garykirkham2972]

Hello Athena. One word... WOW!

[@kevintinsleypers6628]

Nice video. Looking forward to the Lakes in Winter.

[@jamawa]

Great inspiring video - especially welcome right now, with my part of Scotland increasingly shutting down. But I'd suggest you get yourself some gaiters as they would prevent wet feet on most occasions like your bog incident. Mine are from Montane and have saved me in quite a few Scottish bogs as well as walking through deeper snow or even high wet vegetation.

[@HerrFinsternis]

What a walk I am super jealous 😊 Gorgeous views, that mix of snowed in hills and green valleys is just striking.

[@philipdixon8177]

Thanks for the honest sum-up at the end of the video when you could have just said everything was great :) Gives us all reminders what we need to look at for, like making sure to drink enough even when it's freezing cold. Also the change in those conditions from the start was an eye opener!

[@ivarwb4115]

Absolutely awesome video, and some fantastic scenery!

[@matthewhenry6281]

I still haven’t gotten over the weirdness of vlogging around people. It’s funny that we have this feeling, as so many people watch KZbin videos like yours. I’m trying to work on the mindset that the camera is just another person that I’m talking too. Btw. Great video. Awesome landscape. So jealous.

[@TheSoloSummiteer]

Great video Athena. Looking forward to winter already. Subscribed

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Epic hike ! Well done , takes a great big pair of horns to walk through cows like those 🤣, I would have turned round and walked the way I came 😆

[@brianbrooking496]

Highland Cows are generally more placid in nature, however definitely never cross between them and their calfs. I remember the Army teaching me how to cross a field of cows properly, and how to respect them and skirt around them with their young

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

@@brianbrooking496 agreed I would not walk through cows accross a path I don't know , I would walk round them with an eye for an exit and or protection if no man's land , odds are small but that's part of risk management .Especially with those horns ! 😃👍

[@brianbrooking496]

TheRst2001 perfect, FYI highland cows in the snow make great photos

[@craigbaxter3746]

Looks great will defo do that route! 😁

[@starmstarm8581]

Hey Athena, great video as always. Look after yourself and don't forget to wash your hands!

[@aloneinforest]

Нереально красивые горы👍

[@80ZX]

Great video Athena !

[@markkent294]

A great video Athena, I can’t you believe you got through that after the foot soaking! Perfect conditions though! I attempted the horseshoe the day before from Ambleside, but abandoned it as the weather came in at around lunch time. I had some food at high pike and headed back down, on the advice of a couple of people who had come around the other way.

[@lynnmu268]

What a brave lady!

[@adrianwatkins9629]

Absolutely stunning hike and brilliant content as always...

[@johnpusey1285]

As always great video. A simple tip is take a plastic bag or two (reuse!) so you can put your foot in the dry sock inside the bag and avoid the wet boot!

[@billbaynes3432]

Better you than me in all that snow! Lovely lass!

[@TheQNSzzz]

Awesome! I was due to hike some easy trails in Austria next week but all shut down over there 😫 so this was great to watch. Hope to do some hikes in Scotland instead - low level depending on conditions! Love watching your hikes. 😃

[@craigbloxham8328]

Great vid with stunning scenery. Very inspirational. Respect 👍🙂

[@ironian24]

I love the Lakes, I do photographic workshops there every year, well done for putting the effort in, you get to see so much more up there. As I get older I seem to get more unfit, it looks beautiful there thx for sharing your experience.

[@wizzylizard99]

Next time you're in Ambleside try Ghandi's Cafe, it's really really nice!!! XXX

[@RambleFamily]

Isobel Taylor-Jones a friend recommended this to me! I’ll check it out, thank you 😊

[@rwilson6637]

Beautiful footage of my home fells💙

[@RambleFamily]

Rachel Elizabeth Wilson ah you are so lucky to live here ☺️

[@jasonwestmoreland]

Love the Fairfield horseshoe, stayed at a cottage in Rydal hall and ran the same route in same conditions last April. Stunning thanks for another great video.

[@g0dplay]

Hiking in the winter (snow).. always make sure you have your phone and battery pack with you. On your phone apps such as Komoot (or similar) to find your way back to trails.

[@andrewstorm8240]

Great result for winter

[@TheMrsKKB]

What an amazing walk!!! You are such an inspiration as I said before. I always carry extra socks (here in the desert for different reasons but still LOL) and JELLY BABIES! I miss them. I ate the last of the ones I brought from the UK and unfortunately won't have any for a while since my BF's trip was cancelled this week :( they are a must have for us on our walks. Thank you for all your effort making this video, it was beautiful!

[@amyamy1507]

What a great adventure!

[@doakster71]

My favouriite video of yours yet .. really inspirng for winter walking

[@tps3057]

Beautiful film gorgeous scenery hope u recovered from your fall

[@kevinbungles]

wow awesome... as long as your safe

[@bennyswales8245]

Another great video from all action girl Athena...Brilliant film Athena keep up the good work..stwie

[@stefanjagger]

Love the content and yep definitely a QMD. I usually pack my spare pair of socks as Sealskinz 100% waterproof ones... they aren't as comfy, can get your feet a bit sweaty at times more in the summer, but they are perfect for if you soak your boot as they keep you warm and dry. I lke the post hike review of yourself too.

[@Trebornotaes]

Yep love this, proper wintery hike.

[@vader2757]

Well done Athena your walk looked risky but you made it

[@OntarioHikingTrails]

Beautiful hiking area I enjoyed watching your video.

[@Mertyboy1207]

loving the views and the music.

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

Great video. My only complaint would be that the cake wasn't big enough. 😋👍🙂

[@Wildernessoutside]

looked lovely

[@garyparker5012]

Great video I love the Lake District and great walking in snow to , I use bridgedale storm socks in extreme conditions never failed me yet (sealskin socks have a horrible rubber band around the upper part which pulls on your skin and hurts so I went with bridgedale socks instead ) love your channel keep up the good work

[@RambleFamily]

gary parker I’ve never tried Bridgedale but have heard good things about them 😃

[@gordon4228]

Good blog. Best to make winter mistakes somewhere you know well, very wise.

[@paufarrell]

Hi Athena, great example of being prepared for things going wrong.By covering the basics we can keep ourselves safe in unstable circumstances. Can you get a better wicking layer to pull moisture away from skin, you will always sweat with the shear exertion that your doing.Athena thank you for sharing your adventure.

[@RambleFamily]

Paul Farrell yep I may try a different baselayer next time as it was slightly too warm for those conditions 🙂

[@MrLunesdale]

Marino wool base layer - with a short zip up front and holes for thumbs on the arms - wick well, are warm in winter cool in summer are light weight and don’t pong half as much as cotton or polyester

[@MrLunesdale]

Ps enjoyed your video(s) : thanks 😎m

[@stevekelly7545]

Well done, great self awareness.

[@RoyClare]

What a great adventure. Sunshine too ... as a mariner I’m thinking sight of the sun must help navigation a bit?! 🌞

[@RambleFamily]

Roy Clare yep nice and easy to navigate!

[@jsncdy]

I ran over Fairfield and Helvellyn 3 times last week. The conditions were pretty bad.

[@Fangfosse]

Epic! Well survived :)

[@campsite123]

Athena well done actually you did that pretty fast considering the terrain and snow. Guess the weather also moved you along too.

[@TheBigsidog]

I fell in the same bog 3 weeks ago lol I wonder how deep it really is??Great video once again.

[@alancombo06]

Don't be to hard on yourself that's what experience is learning and adapting most of the so called experts are looking at you on their pc,s or fones your up there on the front line well done great memories are made from these days😎